3 - 3.5 stars. This is my first book by Olivia Drake and I enjoyed it. The storyline starts out a bit slow and it took me quite a while to get invested, but it eventually picked up and I was intrigued by the relationship between Hadrian and Natalie.

I've seen some people label this as a regency romance, and I guess I would agree. I am more used to the term, "historical romance" so that's what I'm sticking with. Hadrian comes across as pretty dry and gruff, so it was a little hard to believe he felt such a strong attraction to Natalie right from the start. Natalie was very refreshing and very progressive for the time period, I did like her. She didn't like the English at all or the social class system they have, her being American.

I liked the concept of the story, the promise Natalie made to her dying friend. As was typical of the times, Hadrian was to be betrothed to someone when he happens to meet Natalie. He is attracted to her but she is beneath his station, him being a Duke and all. And Natalie was having none of this title or social standing.

There are some steamy parts, that some people may not be too thrilled about, but I enjoyed them. I hope to have the chance to read more of Ms. Drake's books in the future.

Enjoyed it
This is my first book by Olivia Drake.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Unlikely Duchesses
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Tired of being harassed by young ladies and their matchmaking mamas, and believing himself ready for marriage, Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, has decided it's time he wed. He needs a proper blue-blooded wife and his distant cousin, Lady Ellen, will do nicely. Then he meets brash and irreverent American Natalie Fanshawe on the way to visit his potential intended at the Godwin estate and is captivated. This woman is nothing he wants in a wife and she disdains English society, but her allure is undeniable.

Natalie has no time for a spoiled English lord and it totally uninterested in titles or unearned wealth and status. She's preoccupied with her plans to open a school back in the United States and with her journey to escort her six year old ward, the now orphaned Leo Bellingham, her best friend's son, to his grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Godwin. Despite the fact that he continuously reminds himself of his need for a blue-blooded wife and Natalie's commoner status, Hadrian finds himself considering a future with her rather than Ellen, though he continues his original courtship ruse, aware of Natalie's disdain for the aristocracy and not wishing to scare her away by revealing himself too soon. Now he just has to convince her to stay with him, despite his lofty title.

First off I really did enjoy this book. These two had chemistry, but man was this a slow burn. I liked seeing how Natalie challenged Hadrian and how his views and priorities subtly shifted throughout the book as he opened his eyes to the reality of his narrow world and strict upbringing. Natalie did try my patience quite a bit with her insistence on not accepting help, even though she'd already allowed Hadrian to help her quite a bit; her constant assertions of her need to return to her life in America even though it was made clear she had no family there and only the plan to start a school, a plan which had not yet been set into motion and which she could easily do in England instead. I did appreciate Natalie's unwavering sense of equality and her loyalty to her values, although she sometimes came off as rigid and a bit preachy. It was also annoying how much she judged Hadrian based on the actions of other aristocratic men and not for himself and I appreciated that he called her out for it. I enjoyed the intrigue at the conclusion, even if it was predictable and thought this book well-written, even if it was a bit repetitive at times. Overall, this was a good read and I'll look forward to more installments in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Natalie Fanshawe does not particularly like the English, especially nobility, not after what they did to her friends and fellow patriots. Still, Natalie is in England with the son of her friends, hoping to bring him to his titled grandfather. Well, just as can be expected, the grandfather and his friends treat Natalie just as she expected English nobility to, with no trust and with askance. Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a wife and he has one picked out—until he meets Natalie. But, Natalie is not what an English wife of a noble should be. She is an outspoken American with only disdain for all the social conventions the nobility follows in England. Hadrian comes to the aid of Natalie and her young charge while enroute to meet his future bride. The noble Natalie seeks happens to be he sire of the woman he has chosen as his bride, so he is bound to accompany Natalie and her charge to their destination. After one sight of Natalie, Hadrian’s plan is to marry go astray, as he is smitten by the willful, young American who had only disdain for the English and particularly the English nobility, who cannot wait to leave England after her task is accomplished. Hadrian begins a campaign to win Natalie over, but will he succeed?

Natalie is a very modern woman, loyal to her ideals, patriotic, headstrong and free-spirited yet ready to go to the hated England to fulfill her duty of bringing her young charge to his grandfather. Hadrian and his cronies were supposed to haughty and arrogant, but I saw little this in them. The pair are attracted to each other, but there were not the big sparks you sometime see in couples in books like this one. Still it was a good story, and I recommend it to any readers who enjoy romances between opposites and strong women. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Another delightful historical romance from Olivia Drake. Initially haughty British aristocrat Hadrian meets his e Match in the lovely determined American Natalie. Natalie has a healthy disdain for the entrenched British social system based on her family's past. Lest we forget the real hero of the book, a precocious orphan named Leo who charms everyones hearts. A must read for those who enjoy unconventional historical heroines.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for my honest review.

This series is well-titled as “Unlikely Duchesses.” In this case the unlikely duchess is Natalie, an American woman who has traveled to England right after the War of 1812 to bring an orphaned boy to live with his cold and supercilious grandfather. On the way there, she meets Hadrian, a duke, who is entranced by her forthright nature and beauty. He thinks he wants only a well-bred young noblewoman to marry, but soon decides that a brave and kind American woman is
a better choice. The only problem is that she despises the idea of nobility and just wants to return home. The only thing keeping in England is her love for the adorable that little boy she has been protecting.I enjoyed the clash of cultures and was willing to suspend a whole lot of disbelief that the whole plot inspires.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

A fun regency romance that has the usual uptight earls and outrageous countesses. A little mystery and adventure make this an enjoyable read for romance fans.

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is an enjoyable Regency romance, although somewhat predictable in its form. Beautiful woman (although in a twist this one is an American!), a handsome duke (are they ALL handsome?) and obstacles that get in the way of them finding their true love. But, as always, they eventually get there and have some fun escapades doing it. If you are a fan of Regency romances, you can't go wrong with Forever My Duke!

I do love the whole "Independent, outspoken American and stuffy British aristocrat falls for each other" thing this book has going. I also liked how Hadrian was a total sweetheart from the beginning, for all his stuffy dukeness. I also liked Natalie from the start and Leo was a little darling/devil.

I can't say so much about this book. I liked it. I didn't love it and I found the earl and his family exhausting. The romance was sweet, but not explosive. The characters likable but not very memorable. I will definitely read more historical romance with American heroines, though, because the dynamic between Natalie and Hadrian intrigued me.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this, Netgalley and the publisher!

Loved this story, with its fairy tale tone and its realistically flawed characters, and I think I am officially a fan of Olive Drake's books. Normally it takes a few books, but this one got me from the beginning. To have a member of aristocracy have a heart from the start of the book is rare. Usually there is a redemption arc, and you've got to read as the hero goes from being an insensitive lout to being a generous, kind hearted soul. How realistic does that seem to you? I much preferred this hero, who looked beyond a person's status to who they are within. With the exception of his butler, Chumley - I have no idea why he put up with that rude man.

Natalie Fanshawe was tasked with getting her best friend's son to his grandfather in England, right before she perished from a brutal attack at their settlement in America. Unknowing if he would receive them, she sailed anyway, and then made it far until getting caught in the rain at an inn, with her transportation departed without her. Hadrian Ames, the eighth Duke of Clayton, had no intention of getting involved with a bedraggled woman and her young charge. He just wanted to visit his uncle, marry his cousin, and get on with his life. That all changed, however, when he offers Natalie passage to his uncle's home, which just so happens to be her destination as well. His uncle is her charge's grandfather, and he is not going to be happy to see her. Years ago, he wrote off his daughter for leaving for America with her commoner husband, and he has no desire to take in her son...if that's even who he is.

I loved Natalie and Hadrian, both for their strength of character and their courageous actions throughout the book! There was so much riding against them, particularly by a society who looked down upon their relationship. Natalie followed through on her actions and never backed down, which you don't see every day. Sure, a heroine might vent and complain, but in the end, she gives in and forgives everyone of every wrong done to her. That's fairly typical, even in today's strong heroine movement. But Olivia Drake wrote a heroine who stood up for what she believed in and made the hero grovel. Hadrian needed to realize the error of his ways, and Natalie made him see that. It was tough love, but it made him grow into a better man. He also didn't the typical duke and commoner thing and try to make her his mistress. His love rang true throughout the story, and he didn't care who knew about it. They had their bumps in the road, but ultimately, love won.

Olivia Drake has captured my attention with this latest book! I am excited to see what she writes next.

Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is a swoon-worthy historical romance. The story is adventurous and charming with charismatic characters. Natalie Fanshaw is a delightful mix of candidness and appeal. While Hadrian Ames, the 8th Duke of Clayton, is gallant and captivating. I very much enjoyed this book.

While I didn't dislike this book it didn't leave a particularly strong impression on me. I liked the 'Sassy American woman takes on the stuffy British Artistocracy' angle because I always enjoy that in an historical romance but I just had a difficult time connecting with these characters and their story.

This is a well-written book with some clever and amusing moments but I think, for me, the romance moved too slowly and didn't burn as hotly as I prefer. Most likely a case of 'just not for me'.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Forever My Duke (Unlikely Duchesses #2) was my first Olivia Drake novel and I can guarantee it won’t be my last. From the moment I picked the book up, I was completely entranced by Hadrian and Natalie’s story. The story moves along very quickly, with our couple meeting right off the bat thanks to little Leo’s hide-and-seek nonsense.

Natalie was an acceptable heroine, although her excessive patriotism and condescending comments could be grating at times. As a result, I enjoyed Hadrian’s transformation the most. I felt like there could have been more character development and I wish we had more complexity in the side-characters but overall it was enjoyable!

I did end up putting the book down about halfway through the book because Natalie’s character was being a bit extra so the pacing slowed immensely. Once I picked it back up I was able to finish quickly.

Forever My Duke was a fun Regency romp with plenty of passion and angst in this opposites-attract relationship. Thankfully, this story doesn’t suffer as much from the dreaded miscommunication trope. If you like your Regency tales steamy, definitely pick this fun book up!

**Reviews will be posted to retailers after release
**Full review will be posted to Dream Come Review (blog) on release day
**Reviews already posted to Goodreads and Bookbub

Forever My Duke is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series.
Natalie arrives from America with the son of a very dear friend who was murdered when their village was raided by British soldiers. Her friend's last wish was for her son to be reunited with her father who lived in England. It is because of Leo that Natalie meets Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton. Clayton took a fast liking to her. He liked her spirit and how honest she was. She's firm in her beliefs in regards to the English aristocracy. She keeps making remarks to Clayton about how in America everyone is treated equally, which I think it's a little naive of her. I got a little annoyed that she had this prejudice against the ton, when one member kept proving her wrong repeatedly. I liked Clayton. He was a sweet man and he always meant well. Natalie had only one goal, settle Leo with his family and she can head back to America to set up a school. Therefore, it took Hadrian a lot of patience to convince Natalie that she is who he wanted by his side.
I just felt it was an okay story. This is one where I liked the hero more than the heroine.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.

Olivia Drake has another hit with Forever My Duke, book 2 in the Unlikely Duchesses series!! Book 1 excited me and book 2 has me wanting even more!

Duke or not, Natalie has too way much going on to be bothered by Hadrian Ames. As an American she would respect him so much more had he done something to earn his title. But there's something about him...

Hadrian is fascinated by the outspoken American he meets when the weather forces them to stay over at the Inn. He has never met anyone like her and it's more than enough to throw off all of the plans he had set in place!

I think you will really enjoy this fun story of an unlikely pair and a mischievous little boy! I didn't want this book to end and am very excited for the next book in the Unlikely Duchesses series!!

This was the first time I read something by this author.

I wasn't aware the story wouldn't be clean, so I docked a star on account of that.

I liked Hadrian and Natalie and the way their relationship progressed. Hadrian is a duke and he's decided to marry a much younger woman. But then he meets American Natalie who is very independent and outspoken, and can't stand the British society rules. Despite her misgivings, she falls for the duke.

The little boy Leo was a good addition to the cast of secondary characters, as were Hadrian's family.

Forever My Duke by author Olivia Drake is a vibrant, well-told story of an American woman, Natalie Fanshawe, who loved her best friend Audrey enough to fulfill her dying wish. She asked Natalie to accept the responsibility of traveling to England to take Audrey's young son Leo to his English relatives after Leo's parents' deaths. Natalie is a very strong character with very strong opinions about British aristocracy. She believes in equality of all and scorns the aristocracy. When she meets Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton she slams right up against her views and her attraction to the Duke. I enjoyed all the interactions between Natalie and the Duke as they traveled along the road to their HEA.

Review by 2shay...............

I love Natalie to pieces! She has a severe attitude about British royalty, an attitude I personally share! But her attitude, and..ahem...mine...aren’t always right. There may be times when it’s best to just forget your personal opinions, and follow the local customs.

Then there is Leo, the orphan son of Natalie’s best friend, a friend who was killed in America during a raid on their outpost. Leo is a precious little thing, full of mischief and devoted to Natalie. By her friend’s request, Natalie is delivering him to relatives in England. Relatives who may not accept him.

Hadrian Ames, the eighth Duke of Clayton, was swept off his feet by the beautiful and completely unpretentious Natalie when she entered his room while looking for her charge, Leo. Being smitten, he forgives her annoying insistence on ignoring his title. That was a big plus for me.

This author has done  beautiful job of highlighting the obvious fallacies of birthright status while eventually conceding that some, particularly one, handsome Duke works hard and is supportive of the many he employ.

If you’re a fan of well-done historical fiction, you’ll love this one. If you aren’t, the significant ways that current culture makes this book relevant today will change your mind. Pick up a copy and...

Enjoy! ARC graciously provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review.

Natalie Fanshawe is on a quest to honor her best friend's request to take Leo to his family in England after a horrific massacre where Audrey, Leo's mother, and his father were murdered. Being an American in England so soon after the War of 1812, Natalie knew she wasn't going to be well-received, especially by anyone in the aristocracy. But she had hope that Leo would be taken in by his grandparents who were aristocratic, and be loved and raised properly. She was met with doubt of Leo's lineage and outright hostility.

Hadrian is the Duke of Clayton and quickly becomes an advocate of her and Leo, much to the chagrin of his uncle (Audrey's father). But he's got a quest of his own. He isn't getting any younger and he needs a wife and an heir. He and Audrey were promised when they were still in the cradle, but when Audrey marries a commoner and flees to America with her minister husband, she is disowned from the family. That leaves the lovely Lady Ellen for him to court. But there's nothing between them. He's much older than she is. She thinks he's a stuffy old man that's a stick in the mud. She has another interest somewhere else. Hadrian is a man of honor and doing the right thing as far as society goes. He doesn't want to do anything to embarrass himself of his family and is going to pursue Lady Ellen. It's his duty.

Leo is a real pistol. He's curious and often runs off while Natalie isn't looking. He hides and makes her look for him. It irritates her--it irritated me--but she never punished him. He'd witnessed his parents' murder and she figured he'd been through enough. That boy needed some discipline, but his antics and questions were endearing at the same time. He was who brought Natalie and Hadrian together.

This was a tough situation for both Hadrian and Natalie. In addition to Leo being caught in the mess of his questionable lineage, Natalie refused to curtsy or call anyone by their proper title (Your Grace, Milady, etc.) She shook hands with everyone instead, an outrage to the aristocracy but she had nothing but disdain for it anyway. Hadrian is a Duke and has aristocratic friends and family who saw or would see Natalie's actions as an insult. So, here is a Duke and a commoner trying to take care of six-year-old boy who was born and raised on the American frontier and trying to fight an intense attraction between themselves. Interesting, indeed!

I love a lot of tension in the books I read and this was spot on. There were a few instances of some steam, but it wasn't over the top. I liked how Natalie wasn't afraid to tell Hadrian what she wanted. She lived for the moment and she was wildly in love with him. He exercised a lot of self-control. I could feel his pain and agony resonating from the pages. She was beautiful, smart, and brave. He wanted her as badly as she wanted him. I loved how he teased her and flirted with her. She wasn't shocked or appalled and gave it right back. The way these two worked was simply magnificent. They had a common goal with Leo and fell in love along the way to attaining that goal. It was wonderful to feel them falling for each other and for him to open not only his mind, but his heart.

So many good feels, a great amount of tension, and a feel good ending made this book a must-read. It is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Oh, one more thing. I liked how Hadrian called Leo "brat" all the time. He didn't do it in a mean way and I could see him calling Leo that for the rest of his life. It fit.

*I received this book from NetGalley

An American, Natalie Fanshawe, is entrusted with the care of a little boy, Leo, whose grandfather happens to be an English Lord. How does a woman that has been taught by her father to distrust the British aristocracy come to terms with bringing a young boy into its world? Natalie Fanshawe is a strong-willed, opinionated, and fiercely protective woman. Natalie made a promise to her dying friend that she would bring Leo to his grandfather. On their journey to England and Lord Godwin; the precocious little Leo, keeps things interesting with his antics. One such time brings Natalie into contact with Hadrian, the Duke of Clayton and things become a little complicated....

I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to throw an American woman into the mix; not long after the end of the Revolutionary War, to have to go to England. The characters are well written and believable. I always enjoy a strong female lead and this definitely has that. The journey of discovery between Natalie and Hadrian is a joy to watch unfold.